Question on fence material

[vrinner]

So I need to replace about 50' of fence between me and a neighbor. Going to use metal posts set in concrete.

Question is what type of wood. Redwood, cedar, pressure treated pine? In all honesty I'm sure it will outlast me being there but just wondering in general what people think is the best. Also probably just stain it instead of painting.

 

[cdestuck]

Question to help us here. Are the metal posts already set or are going to have to put them in??

 

[Almostbroke94]

I only use cedar on all of my jobs. Pressure treated stuff out here will start to twist and warp/bow in a year or two.

 

[nadogail]

Metal Posts, in concrete, IMHO are the best way to go.
I recommend pressure treated 2X4 rails; top, middle, and bottom, bolted to tabs welded to the steel posts. This will allow easier replacement in the future.

I like Cedar fence boards, We painted the posts with Oil Based paint, somewhat difficult to buy in California, prior to setting the posts into the concrete. The wood was painted with copper napthate, then primed with an oil based primer, followed with a good exterior top coat.

I made the posts from repurposed pallet beams.

I don't expect to have to do anything but repaint the fence in a few years, after which it will somebody else's problem.

 

[dirtrich]

Here in California, Redwood.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I'd say redwood as well. Cedar is generally less expensive in other parts of the country, but I'm guessing the price difference is minimal there. The climate is dry enough in the LA area that you probably don't need pressure treated.

 

[Chaznsc]

I only use cedar on all of my jobs. Pressure treated stuff out here will start to twist and warp/bow in a year or two.

Or a week, LOL

 

[joe--h]

What's there now?

Joe H

 

[drivesitfar]

any reason why you are not doing chain link since you have metal posts?

i'm guessing redwood would work well in your area and cedar might be spendy in California like somebody already mentioned.

you might be ok without stain if you go with wood, but i'd probably still stain it and Sikkens works well for me up here in the PNW

 

[CGT80]

Use plastic/wood fiber fence boards.



A bunch of years ago, Home depot and lowes carried dog eared fence boards that were similar in size to redwood or cedar but made of recycled plastic and saw dust. They were only half an inch thick.


They are a slightly pink color and have faded a tad and washed out where the sprinklers hit them (hard water) but they are still very intact.


Since they are thin, it would be best to have a rail close to the top and bottom edges and one or two in the middle. Engineered 2x lumber is very expensive, so we used cedar.


Search for fence boards made from plastic or recycled material.


These did not shrink, so butted up tight, you can not see through them. Wood just does not hold up very well and repainting all of the time ***** (I was a pro painter for many years).


I have installed cedar fencing in the past and used an oil based stain, sprayed with an airless. It looked good but I would recoat it every few years if it was me.

 

[vrinner]

Great replies!

Currently there is a wooden fence and wooden posts...well...there is barely a fence there. The posts are all rotted and termite eaten. The fence has been there for nearly 30 years and has finally denied all repairs efforts. There is a section where I had a dog run that does have a short chain link fence on my side of the property and old wooden on the neighbors side and I'm just going to run the new wooden fence all the way to keep privacy.

Don't want a chain link as its also a privacy fence between the house and a neighbor.

Looks like available at my local HD all 5.5 wide by 6 ft.

11/16 X 5-1/2 X 6ft Common Redwood dog ear is $3.17
5/8 X 5-1/2 X 6ft Incense Cedar dog ear is $2.42
5/8 X 5-1/2 X 6ft Red stained Fir dog ear is $1.99

Looks like Fir is the cheapest but nobody recommended that so I'm guessing not really a good choice.

I need just over 100 boards so it's about $75.00 difference from Cedar to Redwood. Sounds like redwood is a good choice.

 

[drivesitfar]

VR: more than likely nobody mentioned fir because you probably should paint it and i'm guessing termites in your area would think you were serving dessert.

not that I'd do this fence cause i'm about to build a cedar fence, but you can buy plastic inserts for chain link fencing to provide privacy. the stain I use is Sikkens (picture of my cedar mailbox stand to see how a couple coats of stain looks) which might work for redwood too cause I think the color I use is actually called redwood.

i'm also making putting my 6x6 cedar fencing supports in this style bracket that might be another option to using steel unless you are set on steel for maybe a longer lasting and maybe lower maintenance product.

if you have more questions post up pictures and ask and one of us should help you cause i'm guessing a lot of us have built a fence or two.

good luck!!!